Indiana State University plans to add women’s golf to its intercollegiate athletics lineup beginning in 2005-06, Athletic Director Andi Myers announced Jan. 28.

“Since adding women’s soccer in 2000, Indiana State has annually reviewed other possibilities to expand opportunities for our female students to compete in intercollegiate athletics. With the tremendous popularity of women’s golf throughout the Midwest and noted interest from our female students, we felt this would be a logical addition to our intercollegiate athletics program,” said Myers.

A search for a coach will begin immediately. Myers indicated that the new team will begin competing on a limited basis during the 2005-06 academic year.

Currently, Indiana State is one of only two institutions in the Missouri Valley Conference that does not sponsor women’s golf. In Indiana alone, there are more than 250 high schools that have girls’ golf programs.

Funding for the program will come from a variety of sources including the NCAA, sponsorships, private support, merchandising, hosting of events and university operating funds. The NCAA allows Division I golf teams to offer a maximum of six full scholarships that may be divided up among more than six athletes. ISU will phase in its golf scholarships over the next two to three years.

With the addition of women’s golf, Indiana State will have 16 intercollegiate athletic teams, nine women’s and seven men’s. Expansion of women’s participation in sports at ISU parallels growth in women’s athletics nationally. Many credit federal legislation, commonly referred to as “Title IX,” with being the stimulus for expanded opportunities for women.

“As an institution, Indiana State is committed to a policy of non-discrimination. Expanding the opportunities for our female students to compete in intercollegiate athletics is part of that commitment and is the right thing to do,” said Myers.